Should I get whitening if I have sensitive teeth?

If you're concerned about tooth sensitivity, you may decide to choose a product that is specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Mount Lawley Dental uses Philips ZOOM! Nite White – which is especially formulated for those with sensitive teeth.

What is endodontic treatment?

Endodontic treatment involves treating teeth with a diseased dental pulp, such as a dental abscess. The infected soft tissue is removed from inside the tooth and replaced with a root canal filling that seals the tooth from future infection.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last (third) molars to erupt in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. There are usually four wisdom teeth, but not everyone gets them. As these teeth are less necessary, dentists may recommend wisdom tooth removal if a tooth becomes impacted or causes problems such as teeth crowding.

How much do veneers cost?

The cost of veneers depends on their size, the number of veneers you have and what material they're made from. Porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers. At Mount Lawley Dental, veneers start from $300 per tooth for composite resin and from $1400 per tooth for porcelain.

Why is oral hygiene important?

Good oral hygiene is about maintaining healthy teeth and gums in order to prevent dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. These dental problems when left untreated can erode teeth and cause gums to pull away, weakening the tooth structure and resulting in tooth loss. Tooth loss affects the way you eat and speak and can create teeth alignment issues, jawbone deterioration and a sagging facial appearance.

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is a proactive approach to dental care. The preventive approach aims to prevent common dental problems before they have a chance to develop and avoiding the need for more invasive and expensive procedures to correct them.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that can build up on teeth and form plaque. When bacteria reaches the gum, it can cause an infection that the body fights with inflammation, leading to swelling and tenderness of the gums.

How do I keep my mouthguard clean?

Clean your mouthguard under room temperature water and a cleaning solution to keep it in good condition. Avoid using hot water to rinse your mouthguard as it will warp it out of shape. By making sure you clean your mouthguard after every use, you’ll keep it free from staining and plaque build-up that can ruin the mouthguard and require you to replace it sooner than necessary.

Are Mouthpiece Toothbrushes Good for Kids?

Kids Dentistry

Are Mouthpiece Toothbrushes Good For Kids?

Posted on: 21 February, 2022

If your kids are reluctant brushers, you might be on the lookout for anything that makes brushing their teeth less of a chore. If you've come across mouthpiece toothbrushes, these could seem like the answer you’ve been looking for.

2 minute read

Introduced in the last few years, retailers claim that this new type of toothbrush can clean all of your teeth at the same time, saving time and trouble. Sound too good to be true?

Here's why parents should be cautious about mouthpiece toothbrushes and why you should talk to a family dentist before making any changes to your child's daily oral hygiene routine.

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How does a mouthpiece toothbrush work?

Also known as a mouthguard toothbrush, whole mouth toothbrush, 10-second toothbrush and by many other names, a mouthpiece toothbrush is a type of electric toothbrush designed for kids and adults.

A series of nylon bristles fits over the teeth like a mouthguard. When the device is activated, these bristles move to clean the front, back and chewing surfaces of teeth at the same time.

A mouthpiece toothbrush can be used with your normal toothpaste, which should be applied to all of the bristles. Cleaning can take 10 to 45 seconds, depending on the product.

Are mouthpiece toothbrushes effective?

This is the important question. These toothbrushes may be faster and more convenient than moving a standard electric or manual toothbrush around your mouth, but do they do as good a job at preventing tooth decay and gum disease?

The answer seems to be no. A review of studies by Electric Teeth found that the cleaning performance of mouthpiece toothbrushes was severely lacking compared to standard toothbrushing techniques.(1)

This is partly due to the design of the unit, which is not customised for each user's unique mouth or jaw. In many cases, bristles were found to be too short to reach all parts of the teeth.

The need for users to bite down while brushing also restricts the movement of the bristles compared to a normal electric toothbrush.

The medical claims and endorsements for mouthpiece toothbrushes were also found to be dubious, and this lack of reliable information makes these products a purchase of considerable risk.

What does the evidence say?

Clinical trials of mouthpiece toothbrushes are limited, as these are fairly new products on the market. The first findings were published in June 2020, based on two small studies using different devices:

A study by the University of Florence found that a mouthpiece toothbrush used for 2 minutes was not effective at removing dental plaque and was not significantly different from not brushing. (2)
Another study concluded that using a mouthpiece toothbrush was inferior to standard brushing due to the device's poor fit and inappropriate alignment of the bristles.(3)

The designs of mouthpiece toothbrushes may be improved in the future, but based on experiences with products currently available, these devices are not recommended as a replacement for a manual or electric toothbrush for any age.

How to encourage your child to brush

How to Make Toothbrushing Fun for Kids

If you need help encouraging your child to brush their teeth properly and for the recommended two minutes, try these 8 tips to make it a fun experience:

Let them choose the toothbrush
Let them choose the toothpaste
Encourage independent brushing
Brush together
Practise on a toy
Toothbrushing tunes
Toothbrushing apps
Toothbrushing rewards

For proper brushing techniques and other care tips, read our 3-minute blog on 'How to Make Toothbrushing Fun for Kids'.

Talk to a dentist in Mount Lawley

If you want more advice about caring for your children's teeth or to make an appointment with a family dentist in North Perth, contact our friendly team at Mount Lawley Dental today

Call us on (08) 9227 8777 or you can book an appointment online. We also serve nearby suburbs including Highgate and Inglewood.